What is the life span of a sump sock?

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

I have my array of sump socks , but was wondering when is a sump sock too old to use? When is it time to replace this cheap yet important part of our reef tanks?

 

[litoreef]

great guestion because i want to know the same ,,

 

[thirty5]

What kind are you using? Felt or mesh type? They can be washed over and over again. I would think that as long as it is clean and no holes in it, use it...

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Good point ! I totaly forgot to mention, the sock are felt and i believe 200 micron , and yes i wash them with bleach then a good cycle of fresh water to make sure they are free of bleach. But othernthan holes what can render a sump sock unfit for duty?

 

[andylee]

Just like real socks. Till they wear out.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Just like real socks. Till they wear out.

Wow i guess that makes all the sense in the world lol

 

[alrha]

think of the environment, when they are unfit for the tank, hand them down to the kids.

 

[ruha456]

What's the best way to clean the filter socks I have used both and have two that need cleaning I just keep buying new ones.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Its always good to have at least a months supply , i only have six of em but i use regular bleach to clean em with hot water , and i know of people who also use oxyclean, but most important is the fresh water cycle or two after you wash them to clean out any left over chemicals, and to ensure all the skimmate is out of your washer to avoid your wife trying to kill you.

 

[alrha]

or can clean by hand in the sink and keep the skimmate off the underwear

 

[thirty5]

Use them until you think that they are not working properly.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Thats true too if you dont want to use the washer , but personaly skimmate on my undergarments keeps me closer to the ocean as i ride the subways of nyc lol.

 

[Frank@Wall]

I wash my until it gets a hole in it. Have a few of course, replace them every week so I dont get nitrate build up.

Sent from my LG G2X using Reefs

 

[prattreef]

What is the life span of a sump sock?
In the wild or in captivity?

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

In captivity of course! Wild sump socks are illegal to catch!

 

[nycfishy]

How often do you guys change your socks?

 

[Downbeach]

How often do you guys change your socks?

I use the mesh type and change them out weekly. I use them until they get holes in them. I rinse them under the faucet until all the heavy stuff is gone, and them let the soak in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water until they turn white again, rinse them out and hang until they are dry.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

Yeah weekly as well over here

 

[bdirty]

I wait till im down to like 2 or 3 socks then put them in the washer with bleach then give them another cycle with clean water only.

 

[NewfiDog]

The washer works much better than i thought it would. At the moment i have used no bleach since we only have scented. I remove the soap tray run 1 rinse cycle, then add socks run 2-3 rinse cycles works great. For me the washer works much better than by hand.